Around the Net

EA Drops $400M On Causal Game-Maker

Further validating casual gaming -- as an industry, if not a pastime -- Electronic Arts has acquired Facebook gamemaker Playfish for nearly $400 million. Reportedly the second-most popular gamemaker on Facebook after Zynga, Playfish's revenues were on target to reach $75 million this year. (Industry leader Zynga's revenues are expected to reach $250 million this year.) Its games include Country Story, Pet Society, and Restaurant City. Playfish makes its money building addictive games for Facebook users, who willingly fork over small amounts of money to progress more rapidly in the games.

Playfish also makes money from traditional advertising and from sponsors who buy in-game upgrades for users' who agree to try their products.

Read the whole story at Business Insider »

Next story loading loading..